March 5, 2007 — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has proposed $147,500 in fines against Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel’s Mingo Junction facility. The fines, which are proposed for alleged willful and serious violations of federal workplace safety standards, follow OSHA’s investigation into the death of an employee in September 2006.

OSHA opened an investigation after receiving notification that an employee had fallen from an elevated walkway that was not protected with guardrails. As a result of the investigation, the agency issued two willful citations with proposed penalties totaling $140,000. The citations alleged a lack of guardrails on a crane runway and the failure to follow lockout/tagout procedures and to conduct periodic inspections on those procedures.

OSHA also issued two serious citations with proposed penalties of $7,500. The serious citations alleged failure to post warning signs, and a lack of readily accessible disconnecting means for a crane power supply.

"The tragedy of serious injuries and fatalities resulting from falls is made worse by the fact they are entirely preventable," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA area director in Columbus, Ohio. "It should not be difficult to recognize hazards that may lead to falls and to correct them before such tragedies occur."

OSHA notes that since 1976, Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel facilities in Ohio have experienced 16 fatalities, including five resulting from falls. Twelve of the total fatalities have occurred at the Mingo Junction plant. The company has 15 working days from receipt of the current citations to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.